Caroline Kennedy Expresses Support for Gay Marriage

Caroline Kennedy, who has been criticized for her lack of political experience as she seeks to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate, has revealed some of her positions on hot-button political issues.

Answering questions from Politico through her spokesman, Kennedy said she supports gay marriage and Bush's approval of an auto bailout. She opposed the war in Iraq and refused to say whether she will support the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City in 2009.

Kennedy answered seven of eight questions posed by Politico and her responses were brief and vague, the publication said.

Kennedy left no doubt, though, about her support for gay marriage, staking a position that is contrary to that of President-elect Barack Obama.

She "supports full equality and marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples," her spokesman wrote. Obama supports civil unions for gay couples, but not marriage rights.

Kennedy's view on the war in Iraq, however, closely matches Obama's.

"Caroline opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning," her spokesman wrote. "She supports President-elect Obama's plan to work with our military leaders to begin a responsible withdrawal."